Chapter 178 - 174: Some Rejoice, Some Worry

Chapter 178: Chapter 174: Some Rejoice, Some Worry

At the Rongcheng Rock Climbing Center.

The director had brought in several chefs from outside to host a grand celebration banquet here.

During this competition, the team led by Yan Peisheng had achieved excellent results.

The director happily praised them several times. He also emphasized that taking an unconventional path this time—issuing wildcard athlete qualifications based on Yan Peisheng’s suggestion—was a massive risk for him to take. Regardless, his speech perfectly demonstrated the art of bureaucratic talking.

Su Yunzhou patiently listened for quite a while, mainly because his personal reward from the higher-ups had also been finalized. Finally, the speech got to the point.

The director first gave Su Yunzhou a round of praise so high that even Su Yunzhou himself felt he was incredibly awesome. Then, with a burning gaze, the director announced, "Because of Comrade Su Yunzhou’s outstanding performance, the General Administration of Sport has decided after careful deliberation to award him a personal cash prize of 1.8 million. It will be wired directly to his card in the coming days."

As his words fell, the many athletes at the banquet revealed expressions of envy. In the past, winning a championship usually came with a bonus of half a million to eight hundred thousand. This time, it had been raised by a full million, which showed just how thrilled the leadership was.

Many athletes voiced their congratulations.

The director continued, "Then let’s have our champion say a few words. Everyone, give it up for him!"

Enthusiastic applause broke out.

Su Yunzhou stood up. At a time like this, he had to give the director enough face—after all, they had just given him money. He recalled the acceptance speeches actors gave when winning awards, organized his thoughts, and smiled.

"I’m not much of a talker, so please forgive me if I don’t speak well.

"The first thanks goes to the leadership and Coach Yan for their cultivation and profound care. Without your help, I wouldn’t have this honor today.

"The second thanks..."

After his three points of gratitude, applause echoed through the venue once more. As for how much genuine sentiment was behind it, no one could tell.

The director also knew that today wasn’t his home turf, so he didn’t say much more, only emphasizing that everyone should eat and drink well. The food went without saying; the standard was absolutely top-notch. As for the liquor, the brand couldn’t be named, but it was the exclusive, internally-supplied kind.

Halfway through the meal, the director leisurely departed. He knew he needed to give his subordinates enough space. With him around, everyone wouldn’t be able to completely let loose.

Sure enough, as soon as he left, the atmosphere became much livelier. Yan Peisheng and Su Yunzhou became the center of attention.

Pan Yong looked at Su Yunzhou, the man who had snatched away all his glory. Having nothing to say in his heart, he just nursed his drink in a gloomy mood.

Meanwhile, the relatively more mature Ning Xiangwu frequently offered toasts. His alcohol tolerance was the only thing he was still confident about. He couldn’t win in other areas, so he was determined to win at least one round in drinking.

But the result... Sigh!

Su Yunzhou was only slightly tipsy and still in a very good state. Ning Xiangwu, having drunk too fast and too hard, was the first to drop out of the celebration banquet. Before passing out, he looked so wronged he was almost in tears.

"Damn it! I can’t beat him!

"I can’t even beat him at drinking!

"My heart is so bitter... BLEGH..."

Seeing that it was past eight in the evening, someone finally remembered that there was a nationally anticipated football match tonight. After turning on the TV and paying a few dozen bucks because the broadcasting rights hadn’t been settled, the large screen projected the football game.

"Holy crap!"

"One to zero, we’re in the lead!"

"We’ve got a real shot tonight!"

Everyone’s faces lit up with immense joy. Could they wipe away their past humiliations tonight?

However, Yu Jiao, whose face was flushed pink from drinking, looked at her phone and said gloomily, "I’m speechless! I just watched the replay! The first goal was actually..."

Seeing her hesitant expression, someone pressed, "Was actually what? Hurry up and say it!"

Yu Jiao’s expression looked unnatural as she replied, "An own goal!"

Someone immediately cursed out loud, "Damn it! What the hell is this!"

A person nearby put down their phone. "I saw it too, it really was an own goal.

"But... at least it counts as a point.

"If they just hold steady this match and win, they can still earn points..."

Everyone continued to watch the game with this mindset.

But it didn’t take long for the opposing team to pull one back. The score became one to one.

Su Yunzhou looked on in irritation at the performance of those pale, overpaid softies, genuinely unable to understand why the General Administration of Sport would make such terrible decisions. Their treatment was considered the highest standard in the sports industry. They had the highest salaries, ate the best food, and feasted on premium sea cucumber for every meal, yet they played like absolute trash, turning out to be softer than the sea cucumbers they ate.

Yan Peisheng raised his wine glass and said helplessly, "Sigh! A one-to-one draw is acceptable too, at least it counts as..."

During the second half, the situation turned into eleven players against ten. Just as the dawn of victory seemed imminent, the opposing team’s forward made a breakthrough, charging in like no one was there, and scored another goal.

"What kind of garbage playing is this! Damn it, these losers have worse stamina than me!"

"What a total disgrace! Seriously... I’m really speechless! How could they lose a goal like that!"

"There’s still time! Maybe there’s a chance!"

In the end, this team wearing red jerseys stayed true to form, losing the game amidst curses from the entire stadium. The disappointed and sorrowful expressions of the fans caused everyone’s mood to drop significantly.

The crowd began to curse incessantly.

"Damn it! What a bunch of absolute idiots!"

"How the hell is this playing football! This is completely rigged! Some scumbags must be gambling on the game!"

"Screw them! They should just disband!"

Amidst the endless cursing, the celebration banquet came to an end. Since most of them were in the sports industry, seeing this stupid team lose two matches in a row truly left them with complicated feelings.

Sigh...

Half an hour later, Su Yunzhou returned to the Boshe Hotel. His powerful physical stamina truly allowed him to drink a thousand cups without getting drunk.

Bai Ying, who was on duty, saw the Mr. Su she hadn’t seen for days and immediately hurried over to greet him. Although she wasn’t entirely certain, she figured Mr. Su had to be the rock climbing athlete being broadcasted on the Rongcheng News these past few days. She hadn’t expected that Mr. Su was not only wealthy and handsome, but also such an outstanding athlete.

Bai Ying understood the importance of customer privacy, so she didn’t ask. Instead, she simply reported on the task of buying flowers that Mr. Su had entrusted her with.

A few days ago, Mr. Su mentioned he would be out for a few days and asked her to buy fresh flowers for him in the evenings. She had faithfully carried out the request. After escorting Mr. Su to the elevator, Bai Ying stepped back.

Su Yunzhou stood at his door and knocked gently. He had a room card, but there was someone waiting for him inside.

The door opened.

Liu Yiyi’s face was flushed and dotted with beads of sweat. She was wearing a pink sports bra that revealed her slender waist and sexy abdominal lines. Her lower body was clad in a pair of gray yoga pants, which outlined her perfectly round, perky buttocks and her straight, slender legs.

She leaned against the doorframe, her eyes filled with spring as she gazed at the hero who had won a championship for the country.

"Yunzhou, you’ve worked hard!"

Su Yunzhou smiled. "Since I’ve worked so hard, is there any reward?"

Liu Yiyi whispered softly into his ear, "I am your reward, and inside my yoga pants, I’m..."

"Ah!"

Liu Yiyi let out a gasp as a pair of strong arms scooped her up by the waist. She wrapped her arms around Su Yunzhou’s neck and tilted her head back. A charming allure swirled in her eyes. Feeling the scorching heat of his palm against her buttocks, she gave him a seductive glare and scolded playfully.

"You reek of alcohol, go wash up first... mmm..."

The bathroom lights were hazy.

The mirror reflected Liu Yiyi’s flawless body, as well as the man’s robust chest.

This night, then, was the modern-day version of the "Thirty Rhymes of Meeting True Love".